In recent years, beauty and skincare have taken off in a big way, much to our delight. Every celebrity has their own range of products, people are taking beauty routines from far-flung shores like Korea and everyone is taking their skincare just a bit more seriously. But, with people’s daily routines getting longer than ever and social media awash with “shelfies” containing hundreds of pounds worth of products, do we really need all the added steps, or is minimalist beauty still an option?
According to one dermatologist, a healthy skincare routine only really requires three essential steps so we thought we’d take a look at what these steps are and the products you might consider for each one:
Cleanse
Since the concept of a skincare routine began, there’s been one step which always goes at the beginning: the cleanse. Cleansing your skin is essential for keeping bacteria off of your face to prevent spots and breakouts, as well as providing the perfect base for applying other products. If you have sensitive skin, Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Makeup Remover would be a good option for you as it removes all traces of make up and dirt gently but effectively. For oily skin, you need something which will soak up the excess sebum, making Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser the perfect product for you. Dry skin will benefit from regular use of Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser, which actively moisturises as it cleans.
Moisturise
While many skincare experts claim that you should be toning your skin after cleansing, this minimal routine calls for moisture, straight after cleansing. Even if you suffer with oily skin, moisture should be part of your routine (and oily skin types are actually often caused by an underlying dryness issue). If you have oily skin, Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15 will help to mattify the skin while adding hydration. Normal skin should opt for Decleor Lift and Firm Day Cream. Sensitive skin will be both hydrated and soothed with Dermalogica UltraCalming Calm Water-Gel, while ageing or very dry skin should opt for something super hydrating like Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich.
SPF
Any dermatologist or skincare expert worth their salt will tell you this: sun protection is the most important step in ANY skincare routine and it’s the one place you should never scrimp. An SPF will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, and should be used all year round, rather than just on sunny days. Elemis Liquid Layer SPF30 is a broad spectrum, water-resistant physical barrier sunscreen protects against sun’s harmful rays. Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery includes SPF50 and will help achieve absolute hydration and defend against the internal and external causes of skin ageing. Jan Marini Daily Face Protectant SPF30 combines water-resistant, broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection with oil control and advanced hydration for the skin.